Eric Church was named Entertainer of the Year for the first time during last night's (Wednesday, Nov. 11th) 54th annual CMA Awards, which was hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker and held at Nashville's Music City Center before a very limited, socially distanced audience made up mostly of nominees and performers. He has been nominated in this category three times prior.
Maren Morris took home three of the four awards for which she was nominated — Female Vocalist and both Song and Single for “The Bones,” which she also performed live.
Luke Combs was the night's other multiple award-winner, taking home his second consecutive Male Vocalist win, as well as Album of the Year for What You See Is What You Get.
Some of the night's big news was who wasn't at the CMA Awards. Scheduled performers Lady A and Rascal Flatts were last-minute dropouts after family or band members tested positive for COVID-19. Both acts shared the news on social media right before the live broadcast.
Tributes to Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, and Kenny Rogers were sprinkled throughout the show. The music world lost all three this year.
Another highlight performance was Charley Pride singing “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'” with Jimmie Allen before being presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Artist nominee Ingrid Andress gave an emotional performance of her hit single “More Hearts Than Mine.” She burst into tears towards the end of the song but managed to pull it together to finish.
Here is the list of CMA Awards winners:
Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Luke Combs
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
“The Bones,” Maren Morris
“I Hope,” Gabby Barrett
Album of the Year
Heartache Medication, Jon Pardi
Never Will, Ashley McBryde
Old Dominion, Old Dominion
What You See Is What You Get, Luke Combs
Wildcard, Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year
“Bluebird,” Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
“The Bones,” Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
“Even Though I'm Leaving,” Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
“I Hope You're Happy Now,” Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
“More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Be A Light,” Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
“The Bones,” Maren Morris with Hozier
“Fooled Around And Fell In Love,” Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
“I Hope You're Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Music Video of the Year
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
“Homemade,” Jake Owen
“I Hope You're Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
“Second One To Know,” Chris Stapleton
New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen
